Special Symposium on Impact-Based Decision Support Services

As part of the Weather-Ready Nation initiative, the National Weather Service is rapidly advancing Impact-Based Decision Support Services, or IDSS, reflecting the agency's transition toward a service- rather than product-centric enterprise. Concurrently, numerous private sector enterprises and government entities are service-centric or are transitioning toward service-centric operations.

Yet, this transition reflects a paradigm shift, one that presents both opportunities and challenges. Rapid advances in technology ensure wide access to data, but data is most effective only when it can be translated to actionable information. This requires high-quality forecasts tailored to specific end-user needs; increased understanding of how end-users engage with and respond to messaging across a wide range of dissemination platforms; and continual research, implementation, and training to ensure and increase effectiveness. Further education, both academic and professional, and research across the physical and social sciences is necessary to identify best practices.

Engaging the public sector, private enterprise, educators, researchers, and end-users affords an opportunity to advance this discussion.

Topics Covered

The symposium will feature both contributed and invited talks from across the weather enterprise (public, private, academic; physical and social sciences) organized around the four major themes::

Student Award Opportunities

To encourage student presentations, the Special Symposium on Impact-Based Decision Support Services is pleased to offer up to two student travel awards valued at $260 each. To apply, please submit a short written statement indicating financial need and how presenting at and attending the Special Symposium will benefit your professional development to the lead program chairperson (Clark Evans, evans36@uwm.edu) prior to October 15, 2017. With your statement, please also provide a copy of or link to your submitted abstract. All applicants will be notified of their status prior to November 1, 2017.

"TransformingCommunication in the Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise"

Communication is a dynamic, powerful, and essential part of the weather, climate, and water enterprise. Successful communication requires active engagement – not only thinking about what, when, where, how, why, and to whom we speak but also carefully listening to better understand and respond appropriately.